In chemistry and mineralogy, a crystal is a solid in which the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions.
Crystal
The word crystal originates from the Greek word "Krystallos" meaning clear ice, and once referred particularly to quartz, rock crystal.
Generally, crystals form when they undergo a process of solidification. Under ideal conditions, the result may be a single crystal, where all of the atoms in the solid fit into the same crystal structure. However, generally, many crystals form simultaneously during solidification, leading to a polycrystalline solid. For example, most metals encountered in everyday life are polycrystals. Crystals are often symmetrically intergrown to form crystal twins.
Taken from http://www.wikipedia.com
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